Where to See Christmas Lights and Displays on Kauai

When Christmas comes around, some who celebrate are happy to embrace the plummeting temperatures and snow while others are looking for a decidedly tropical escape to enjoy over the holidays. If you find yourself leaning toward the latter group and you can’t wait to enjoy sun, sand, and access to island fun this time of year instead, you’ll find everything you’re looking for and more on Kauai! For travelers who prefer to celebrate the season somewhere lush, warm, and inviting, Kauai is the perfect place to spend the holidays alongside family and friends. While your surroundings will be far from the traditional Christmas scenery as fresh powder is swapped out for palm trees, Kauai is still a place where you can include beloved holiday traditions on the to-do list like heading out to admire incredible Kauai Christmas lights and displays. When you want to make sure the best of the bunch are on your itinerary this year, the following should not be missed.

Check Out Some of the Most Illuminated Neighborhoods Across the Island

While many residents across Kauai choose to celebrate the holidays by decorating their homes in glittering lights and fun holiday décor, there are some towns and neighborhoods that simply take it all to the next level of excellence year after year. One of those destinations is the town of Kalaheo where locals have made it a habit to deck their homes and surroundings in amazing Christmas displays each December. Visitors come from across the island to enjoy admiring the lights and holiday displays that go up across Kalaheo. In years past, there have been particularly impressive displays designed to depict the Polar Express and the Nutcracker around the neighborhood that sits just off Kaumualii Highway for visitors to enjoy. Most years, this neighborhood is one that’s well worth bringing the little ones to as well because Santa has a way of showing up to hand out holiday treats to those who drop by to see the lights.

Enjoy the Waimea Light Parade This Christmas

For another fun, seasonal, and illuminating experience on the island of Kauai over Christmas, make sure to add the annual Waimea Light Parade to your must-experience list. This parade is hosted each year just two days before Christmas arrives and it runs down the entirety of Main Street in Waimea. Spectators of all ages will be delighted with the many holiday performers, floats, and lights that make up this exciting holiday parade that’s sure to get everyone in a festive spirit before the big day arrives. The parade typically kicks off around 6:15 pm so that the holiday lights on the many floats make the biggest and most dramatic visual impact. Afterward, there’s always a Christmas concert that’s available to the public to enjoy at no cost at Hofgaard Park.

Find Your Way to the Festival of Lights

One of the most highly anticipated events that happens over the holidays on the island of Kauai and provides a truly impressive display of seasonal illumination is the Festival of Lights! This event is hosted at the Historic County Building Park in Lihue and runs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. During this time of year, the building and the grounds are covered in thousands of holiday lights to create a tropical display that’s always one-of-a-kind. The event is free to attend and is open each evening throughout the holidays for guests to admire from 6:00 pm until 11:00 pm. If you swing by on Fridays in December between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm with the kids, there are opportunities for meet and greet moments with Santa and Mrs. Claus too.

Attend the Lights on Rice Christmas Parade

Another family-friendly Kauai Christmas lights and displays experience that you simply won’t want to miss out on this year is the annual Lights on Rice Christmas Parade. It’s a fantastic kick-off event to the holiday season on the island and is hosted on the first Friday in December down Rice Street in Lihue. On a typical year, the Lights on Rice parade showcases around 3,000 performers participating as part of more than 60 entries. There are thousands of holiday lights on floats, Christmas music to enjoy, performers, and fantastic food to follow. Rice Street often closes around 5:30 in anticipation of the parade fun which begins around 6:30 pm.

Book Your Getaway to the Beautiful Island of Kauai Today

When the holidays have you heading to scenic Kauai, the team at Premier Kauai is here to make sure you have the luxurious accommodations you need to top your festive fun off in style. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting and inviting lineup of Kauai vacation rentals with air conditioning, a private pool, hot tub that are available!